Latvia has so far attracted 100 million more for the implementation of the "Rail Baltica" project than Lithuania. However, the southern neighbors are already building the route, while we have spent on grand railway station buildings, writes Ir.
In Lithuania, projects are ready for most of the route, with funding secured for almost half of the embankment for the railway and a third of the total volume of rails. In Latvia, it is only about a quarter of the embankment. Without rails.
On Monday morning, blue lights flickered and loud music played at the Energy and Technology Museum in the center of Vilnius. The signing of the electrification contract for "Rail Baltica" was celebrated in a festive atmosphere with an impressive presentation. Electrification will cost nearly one billion euros. So far, EU funding has only been attracted for the overall project.
Latvia and Lithuania hope to obtain funds for the detailed technical project in the next rounds of European funding, while Estonia has decided to finance it with its own resources, says Marko Kivila, chairman of the board of the joint venture "RB Rail" responsible for implementing "Rail Baltica".
The electrification plans confirm a characteristic trend: Lithuania and Estonia plan to be ready for this construction work by 2028, while Latvia will only be ready in 2029.
"We decided to start with the major stations in the center of Riga and at the airport; these are complex projects," explains Janis Naglis, a board member of the national project executor "Eiropas dzelzceļa līnijas". "Now we will shift our focus to the main line."
Most of the funding has also gone to the major stations. Of the 1.6 billion euros attracted for the construction of the main route, only a third remains - 566 million. Lithuania has outpaced Latvia in the construction of the route, Naglis admits. Nevertheless, according to him, the hired company "E.R.B. Rail JV PS", which has the largest capacities, will be able to work in several locations as soon as the funds are available.
Meanwhile, Lithuania (and also Estonia) has divided the main route into several sections. Eleven construction tenders have been held for the 114-kilometer stretch from Kaunas to Panevėžys, says Julius Glebovas, Deputy Minister of Transport of Lithuania. Construction work is already underway on 47 kilometers.
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